AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, are all the craze, so it’s no surprise to learn that TikTok is now testing its own AI chatbot, as well. Called “Tako,” the bot is in limited testing in select markets, where it can appear on the right-hand side of the TikTok interface, above the user’s profile and other buttons for likes, comments and bookmarks. When tapped, users can ask Tako various questions on the video using natural language queries or discover recent content by asking for recommendations.
As an illustration, when watching a video of King Charles’ coronation, Tako might suggest that users ask “What’s the importance of King Charles III’s coronation?”
Or, if users were in search of ideas of something to look at, they might ask Tako to suggest some videos on a specific topic — like funny pet videos. The bot would respond with a listing of results that include the video’s name, creator and subject, in addition to links to suggested videos. From here, you may click on a video’s thumbnail to be directed to the content.
Image Credits: TikTok screenshot by Watchful.ai
The bot was discovered being publicly tested by app intelligence firm Watchful.ai, and TikTok confirmed the tests at the moment are live.
“Being on the forefront of innovation is core to constructing the TikTok experience, and we’re all the time exploring recent technologies that add value to our community,” a TikTok spokesman told TechCrunch. “In select markets, we’re testing recent ways to power search and discovery on TikTok, and we sit up for learning from our community as we proceed to create a secure place that entertains, inspires creativity and drives culture.”
Nevertheless, though Watchful.ai says it found the AI chatbot in tests on iOS devices within the U.S., TikTok says the present version of the bot will not be currently public within the U.S., nevertheless it is being tested in other global markets, including an early limited test within the Philippines.
We also understand the bot is not going to appear on minors’ accounts.
Behind the scenes, TikTok is leveraging an unknown third-party AI provider that TikTok has customized for its needs. That modification doesn’t include using any in-house AI technologies from TikTok or parent company ByteDance.
Upon first launch, TikTok advises users in a pop-up message that Tako remains to be considered “experimental” and its feedback “is probably not true or accurate” — a disclaimer that applies to all modern AI chatbots, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s AI, amongst others. TikTok also stresses that the chatbot shouldn’t be relied on for medical, legal or financial advice. (We understand the wording within the image below may reflect an earlier version of the bot fairly than the present tests.)
Image Credits: TikTok screenshot by Watchful.ai
The disclosure also notes that each one Tako conversations can be reviewed for safety purposes and, vaguely, to “enhance your experience.” That is one in every of the complications that include using modern AI chatbots, unfortunately. Since the technologies are so recent, corporations are opting to log customer interactions and review them to assist their bots improve. But from a privacy standpoint, which means the AI conversations should not being deleted after chats end, which poses potential risks.
Some corporations have worked around this consumer privacy concern by allowing users to delete their chats manually, as Snap has done with its My AI chatbot companion within the Snapchat app. TikTok is taking an analogous approach with Tako, because it also allows users to delete their chats.
It’s unclear if the AI chatbot is logging data related to the user’s name or other personal information, though. The long-term data retention policies or privacy features of the chatbot also couldn’t be determined at the moment.
Image Credits: TikTok screenshot by Watchful.ai
The safety risks of AI chatbots have led some corporations to ban such bots at work, including Apple, which has gone up to now as to limit employees from using tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Microsoft-owned GitHub’s Copilot over concerns about confidential data being leaked. Others who’ve recently enacted similar bans include banks like Bank of America, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo and JPMorgan, in addition to Walmart, Samsung and telecom giant Verizon.
Why consumers would even want an AI chatbot in TikTok is one other matter.
While most corporations are experimenting with AI not directly, shape or form, TikTok believes the chatbot could do greater than just answer questions on a video — it could also turn into a distinct way for users to surface content within the app, beyond typing right into a search box.
This might turn into a threat to Google if TikTok’s tests were successful and the chatbot publicly rolled out, on condition that Google has already noted how Gen Z are turning to TikTok and Instagram as the primary place they go to go looking on certain subjects. Soon, Google will begin rolling out a conversational experience in search, but when TikTok had its own in-app AI chatbot, that might encourage younger users to bypass Google altogether.
Update, 5/25/23, 9 AM ET: On the time of publication, TikTok shared additional details about Tako on its Twitter account. We’ve updated with additional details, where relevant.